Hoop Workshops
Workshops are a wonderful way to learn new skills and experience different instructors' teaching styles. Dovercourt Recreation Centre has hosted a series of workshops in both hoop & poi.
For information about weekly classes at Dovercourt Recreation Centre, please check the Calendar page.
FINALLY!! Ann Humphreys of the HoopPath has the green light to come to Canada! Her workshops will be Fri. Oct 7 & Sat. 8, 2011 in Ottawa at Dovercourt Recreation Centre.
We know it's Thanksgiving weekend, but let's give Ann a big Ottawa welcome and hoop it up before turkey day! Here's some info from Ann about what she will be covering:
In the HoopPath Fundamentals class, we will review the HoopPath Core basics around which you build your dance with the hoop. Our focus will be primarily on the physical building blocks which are necessary to contain our hoop meditation. Course # 74018, $60, Fri. Oct. 7, 6:30-9:30pm. Assembly Hall, Dovercourt.
In the HoopPath Master Class, we will take the opportunity to harness the meditative state on a deeper level. Using both Core and Off-Body techniques, we will create new dances together, sharing this sacred space in meditation. We will also access more nuanced and subtle levels of technique. If you have taken the Fundamentals class, you will be fully prepared for the Master class. Join us! Course # 74019, $60, Sat. Oct. 8, 1-4pm. Assembly Hall, Dovercourt.
Register at Dovercourt Recreation Centre, online (click, then enter the course code number), by phone (613-798-8950 ext. 0) or in person.
Here are 3 recent clips of Ann in action:
Hoop Dance! from Channon Hodge on Vimeo.
Check out Ann Humphreys' Vimeo page: http://vimeo.com/user928205
Past Workshops:
Shakti Sunfire came to Ottawa! She presented a Hoop Dance Exploration, "Magic in the Mandala", Tue. June 28, 2011, 6:45-9:15pm.
"Combining an expansive array of new single hoop tricks and technique, dance vocabulary, journaling and exercises we will ignite our skill to the next stage of refinement. This is an all levels hoop class. Please bring your lightest hoop and your journal or something to write on."
Shakti Sunfire teaches hoop dance and yoga workshops and performs internationally. She was voted 'best performance group 2008' and 'firehooper of the year 2009' by popular vote at Hooping.org. Learn more about Shakti at www.shaktisunfire.com.
Registration will be through Dovercourt Recreation Centre: Online here (course #72589), by phone (613-798-8950 ext. 0) or in person (411 Dovercourt Recreation Centre). The cost is $65 + HST.
Click for pdf of posterShakti's workshop at this year's Hoop Convergence (which she co-presented with the equally amazing Nayeli Michelle Bouvier) was one of my favourites of the 4 day hoop-fest. It worked on so many levels of experience and understanding. In her workshops she introduces a framework of concepts, and makes the connection to a series of movement tricks/ techniques that are exciting and inspiring. She is an articulate and down-to-earth communicator and her radiant hoop performances combine flow, precision and expression. I am very excited to have her come to Ottawa to share with our growing hoop community!
See Shakti in action, in 2008 at O Dance in Boulder, Colorado, and at the Flow Show in 2010.
Shannon Wall led an excellent workshop "Below the Belt" on lower body hooping on Sun. Mar. 27, 2011, and helped us fine-tune our leg & foot hooping. It was hard work: paddling with both legs, nudging the hoop to the right spot, pulling legs out, balancing, slipping legs back in, reversing and switching currents, and smoothing out those feet in our foot hooping. We may not have mastered it, but there was so much material for future practice! Bruised feet, thighs, shins and ankles were worth it for the opportunity to learn and improve.
We're sad that Shannon is leaving Ottawa to return to Alberta for her work, but we were so happy she had the chance to share some of her fierce hoop skills while she was here!
Shannon gets us going with her energetic smile
Rebecca Halls of iHOOPu in Montreal came to Dovercourt Recreation Centre in Ottawa on Jan. 13, 2010 for a "Dance Technique & Hooping" workshop. Beka brings a wealth of dance, yoga & hoop performance experience to her hoop practice and teaching, and she shared many wonderful techniques and exercises with the group. The most practical piece of advice for hoopers building tolerance for sustained spinning was "Stop before you get sick." :-) She also emphasized the importance of moving from the feet and trying to bring that flow right through the body; making every dropped hoop an opporunity; and not forgetting the 'story' our less dominant hand wants to tell, amongst other concepts. Her posture, grace & powerful movement were truly inspirational. Though her 2011/ 12 schedule is already looking packed, we can't wait to have her back in Ottawa!
Rebecca Halls (Beka Hoop) of iHOOPu
Extension & counterbalance during sustained spinning
A high kick is always a great punctuation mark!
Let the hoops flow using your whole arm
Descend to the floor and back up with spiral motion
Everyone gives it a try
Yay…we all made it down!
…but the tricky part is getting back up!
Strike a pose!
Rich Porter & Spiral visited Ottawa on Oct. 7 & 8, 2010 to deliver workshops about Time & Flow, part of their upcoming DVD "Hoop Technique". Held at Dovercourt Recreation Centre, the two-evening workshop was a sell out, attended by avid Ottawa hoopers. Isopops, micro-accelerations, extensions, linear isolations and sustained spinning were some of the techniques discussed and demonstrated. These two superstars of the hooping world impressed with their knowledge, skill, coaching and warmth. They gave workshops in Montreal & Toronto before returning home to San Francisco.
Spiral leads a warmup; Rich explains Time & Flow
The group poses with Spiral & Rich.
Videos from Hoop Technique
Nick of Playpoi was in Ottawa Dec. 11 & 12, 2010 at Dovercourt Recreation Centre to teach two 2-day workshops, "Mastering the Basics" and "Beyond the Basics". Participants were dazzled by Nick's creative approach to teaching complex poi moves, focussing on concepts and body movement, including "poi-truvian" :-P
A spin jam on Saturday night allowed more opportunity to practice and share as well as see some of Nick's jaw-dropping spinning with his fiery orange flow lights.
"Mastering the Basics" Group Scream
"Beyond the Basics" Group Shot